Need a new lid? How about something a bit different, a helmet with some unique features that you may not have seen before?

I've been rocking UVEX's xp 100 for some hot Summer miles in order to see if this German helmet can compare to more more common brands. What do I think?

Read on to find out......

The Pinkbike crew gets to roll on the latest and greatest all too often. You guys call it "testing", while I call it living the dream. But what do we choose when we have to slap down some of our own hard earned coin on parts for our ride?

I've recently invested in a set of brand spanking new custom wheels for my all-mountain bike. I only wanted a set of wheels that approach the weight of xc race hoops, and something wide enough as to work good with 2.5" width tires, and sturdy enough to stand up to the odd booter or big gap if I am feeling zesty enough. That's not too much to ask for is it?

Read on to find out what I chose....

The relentless spring rain wasn't enough to stop Pinkbike from putting in the miles on the latest and greatest parts. For the last few months I've been trudging through the mud on DT's stunning E2200 wheelset.

It's Swiss and it's red, but are they worth your hard earned coin?

Read on to find out.....

What if I told you there was a product that you could put on your XC or all-mountain bike that would instantly make you a faster and more confident rider? This same part would add fun and flow to every ride that you go on. Too good to be true?

Have a closer look at the Crank Brothers Joplin seatpost to see what I mean.

The mid-travel suspension market is starting to get a bit crowded with contenders these days. And for good reason, whether we like it or not most of us are better off on something with a bit less length than our current forks. It's too easy to automatically think of one of the "big three's" suspension products when looking for a new fork, but there are other options available for those willing to change it up.

Better known for their stoppers, Magura has been quietly making headway with its 160 mm travel Wotan fork. With some unique features and stunning looks it begs a closer look.

Read on.....

Like a lot of companies, Rocky Mountain has an extensive range of bikes to cover nearly any needs you could think of. Slayer is a name that is used on two lines of bikes meant to excel at different tasks. The Slayer SS is a robust 6" travel slope style (that's the "SS") rig with a slacker 66 degree head angle and more stand over height than its lighter brother, the SXC. The Slayer SXC, that's "Super Cross-Country" by the way, also sports 6" of rear wheel travel, but is aimed at the rider who fills his pack and disappears into the hills for a day of epic mountain biking. A more xc-friendly 68 degree head angle, longer seat post extension, and lighter weight set the SCX apart from the SS. As someone who enjoys a jaunt into the hills I was more than happy to saddle up on the SXC for a few months and give the bike a proper going over.

You've seen the pictures and heard the rumors, now we have the scoop on Industry Nine's wheels! Obviously these are the coolest looking wheels in the galaxy but how did they hold up after a full season of DH bike abuse and drive through car wash cleanings?

Read on.....

If you have a Fox 40 on the front of your bike then you'll want to have a closer look at the Persist Optimus top crown and matching Prime integrated stem. And even if you don't have a 40 you'll still want to have a look at how a proper integrated setup is done.

Read on......

While not the first or only people to fabricate a chain retention device, MRP is arguably the first to do it properly. When the System 1 was first produced in 1996 it set a precedent for chain guides. When a lot of other people were installing spring loaded derailleur tensioners or chain stay mounted rollers, MRP began to produce the simplest solution to what turned out to be a not so simple problem. As time passed, bike designs evolved, and so did the rider's skill. Their line of guides also expanded to include the System 2, the many options of the System 3, and the latest design, the MRP G2.

I've spent the last few months trying to do my worst to the G2. Want to know how it worked?

Read on......

Awhile back I got the opportunity to have a go on Treks new All-Mountain platform, the Remedy 9. Trek chose Mexico as the location and for good reason. Good weather, great food, and amazing trails! In part 1 you were introduced to Trek's newest machine, the Remedy. I got technical on you and showed you what makes a Remedy a Remedy, told you how our first few rides went and you got to read about the Valley of the Monks.

Part 2 has even more about Trek's new bike, some amazing pictures and the story of our ride into Copper Canyon.

Read on......

I go through a lot of different bike parts and gear. Some of it wears out or breaks, some of it I really regret buying, and some of it I swear by. Stuff Mike Rides will show up every now and then, whenever I get around to writing it. All of the stuff that I don't feel like writing a 9000 word review on will be in one of these. More than anything though 'Stuff Mike Rides' will be about how things held up over the long haul.

Featured in Volume #7 is my I-Beam post and matching I-Fly seat, Troy Lee D2 carbon helmet being modeled by Cori's mom, and just for all the carbon haters out there I have my thoughts on MRP's System 3 done in full carbon!

Read on.......

Leaving the rain and gloom behind to spend three days in Mexico on Trek's latest all-mountain steed seemed like a good way to close down 2007 in style. Ok, so it was actually a few months ago now but the sun and singletrack is still fresh in my mind. Actually, I think getting to ride the new Remedy 9 with Shandro may have been my last dry ride!

Read on....

This Freshmeat has everything you need all served on one big platter. If you need a little extra stoke to get you out there on your bike this fall then pop a copy of Vicious Circle into your player, you'll need to hit the rewind button a few times when you see the 65ft double road gap! Before you head out, replace those toe-clips with a set of Axioms RoadGap pedals in white and get out there in the mud! The Germans are all over this platter with the 6" travel Magura Woton fork and Louise 8" brakes. After a big day on the hill you'll want to look your best while on the town so pick up the new Pinkbike T-shirt, cut the sleeves off and unleash those guns into the night!

I go through a lot of different bike parts and gear. Some of it wears out or breaks, some of it I really regret buying, and some of it I swear by. Stuff Mike Rides will show up every now and then whenever I get around to writing it. All of the stuff that I don't feel like writing a 9000 word review on will be in one of these. More than anything though 'Stuff Mike Rides' will be about how things held up over the long haul.

Edition #1 has got some Syncros Mental pedals, Crud Catcher fender and Troy Lee's SE glove. Enjoy....

There is no such thing as too much meat and September's installment proves it!

Up first we have three servings of medium rare Race Face cutlets. The all new Diabolus D2 stem, Atlas AM stem and the low-rise Atlas bar. Hutchinson is on the plate also with its full sized 2.5" Bulldog tires and Axiom is represented with its nifty Enforce DLX Gauge mini floor pump. For dessert we've got some killer BLT lights to keep you riding full year round. The FireWire 4.0 and the snack-size Ozone 21NE